50 years ago

[GXVilla]

Seems crazy to think that Wrexham and Bristol Rovers were amongst our rivals 50 years ago! Had some great trips to Wrexham with thousands of Villa fans crossing the border into Wales. Remember a weird little stand that looked like it would collapse at any moment. Wrexham had a big centre half called Eddie May and he and Andy Lochead used to kick lumps out of each other! No quarter asked for or given. Fantastic to watch but they'd both be sent off after 5 minutes these days.

[dcdavecollett]

Eddie May was huge, wasn't he? 6ft. 3", as I recall, but with the barrelist of barrel chests. Still, Andy was always good at looking after himself.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

30th September 1970. Villa 1 Bristol Rovers 1  Lochhead  Attendance 32,082

From that days programme. One of the Rovers players had caught the eye.

[dcdavecollett]

He 'caught the eye' even more in the second half when he blasted home the equaliser, the first of his many goals at B6.

Villa's goal before the break was a thing of beauty, a superb log cross from the left foot of Davie Gibson, glanced perfectly into the net by your namesake!

[Godfrey Brian]

10th October 1970 Rochdale 1 Villa 1 Attendance 7364. Following two disappointing October draws (Brighton 0-0 league and Northampton 1-1 league cup) we headed to Rochdale for our first ever fixture against them. The crowd was almost double their normal attendance. Andy Lochhead scored early but we ended with another point. Bruce Rioch was to be out for a lengthy spell having had his cartilage removed this week

[dcdavecollett]

Yes, the injuries were starting to pile up, Brian.

Didn't Neil Rioch feature in this game?

[Godfrey Brian]

Yes Dave, it was one of his few starts for us.

[steamer]

The Northampton game was midweek
I started a new school at the end of that week, my satchel was a villa bag.
I was greeted by a Villa fan who had been there, he went on to be the best man at my wedding and life long friend.

[dcdavecollett]

Good story!

[Villa Lew]

Whilst our participation in the League Cup had continued 4 days previously with a well earned draw at Bristol Rovers, it came to an abrupt end in the FA Cup, with a first round 3-1 defeat at Torquay. Ex Villa man Dick Edwards scored one of their goals.

From a Villa point, it was most remembered for Charlie Aitken scoring his one and only goal in the competition for the club. It was also Lew Chatterley's last game for us.

[dcdavecollett]

Yes, we were very poor at Torquay.

In fairness, the players had put a real shift in at Bristol on a mud-pitch in driving rain -the ball was sticking at times- so some of them might have been tired. No complaints about the result.

Charlie's goal was partly the result of Dick Edward's elbow apparently being more concerned with Andy Lochhead's face that the left-wing cross!

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Don't remember much of the game. I just recall sitting in the coach afterwards thinking it's a long journey home.
I think Tommy Mitchinson was also at Torquay at this time.

[Villa Lew]

Yes he played for them from 69-71

[dcdavecollett]

Charlie's goal was his first for years.

Under Vic Crowe and Ron Wylie, he was used more at attacking free-kicks and corners. Charlie was quite tall for a full-back and he eventually became like our version of Chris Lawler at Liverpool, a  bloke who would get a few goals every season.

The goal at Torquay was his only one that season, but he scored quite a few in the last years of his Villa career.

[Godfrey Brian]

 12 December 1970. No game today, it was FA Cup round 2 day and the Torquay result meant we had the day off! It did however give us extra preparation time for the following Wednesday's League Cup Semi-final first leg at Old Trafford. Meantime, up in Greater Manchester, United lost at home to Manchester City 1-4. A Franny Lee hatrick   seeing off a side in decline in an ill tempered game. A poor George Best tackle broke Glynn Pardoe's leg but only resulted in a hotly contested booking. Law got injured also, was subbed and became a doubt for Wednesday night.